DESTINATIONS FAMILY HOLIDAYS | DISNEYLAND PARIS
exper expert ASK THE
Louisa Kriouche-Leroy, show director,
Disney Music Festival
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Moana on stage with her musicians; writer Lauren McCarthy; Chip and Dale; Mary Poppins and Bert, with the Pearly Band PICTURES: Disneyland Paris/Marie Flament
What was the inspiration behind the musical event? We wanted to do something around the music that brings people memories of joy with friends and family. We always have music in our lives and in the UK, you have multiple music festivals – so we said let’s bring our own music festival to Disneyland Paris.
What makes the Disney
Music Festival different from other shows and parades that are on regularly at the parks? The live music makes such a difference. Disney music is iconic all around the world and we know songs from the
movies from when we are very young. [Often, people] want to see two minutes of a show and move to another one but
they stay and are hypnotised by the live music – it’s such magic. During the day, you have 20 hours of continuous shows and to make it all work, we have a 200-person team.
What advice would you offer to get the most out of the experience?
Don’t miss the Grand
Orchestra Finale because all the casts are in it. So if you didn’t catch the shows during the day, come at 7.30pm and you will have all the shows of the day represented.
so children with early bedtimes can see plenty of live music during the day. The festival spirit even extends to the decorations across Disneyland Park and much-loved characters dressed in sparkly, radiant costumes that shine bright even on a cloudy day. Disney songs are well known and recognised by
different generations. One of the key selling points for parents or even grandparents is that the festival includes Disney classics from before 1970 through to modern-day songs from films such as Frozen and Moana. One of my favourite shows was the Disney Music Hits
Concert, a pop-rock event performed four times a day in the Videopolis Theatre. Even though I couldn’t understand the sections in French, the energy from the performers made me want to get up to dance with them anyway. The finale sees bubbles and confetti streamers float down from the ceiling, which left every child in the audience looking up in awe as they danced to Chip and Dale’s DJ set.
MINNIE ON THE MARCH While taking a break from the rides, I strolled down Main Street USA and caught one of the five daily performances from Minnie’s Marching Band. Seeing Minnie Mouse leading a troupe of trombonists, saxophonists, percussionists and even a sousaphone player marching proudly behind her while playing songs from the films Frozen, Encanto and Beauty and the Beast was a true highlight. The final Disney Music Festival show of the day was The Grand Orchestra Finale at 7.30pm, which
30 15 MAY 2025
took place, fittingly, in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Goofy, dressed in the glittering black and blue bow tie and tails of a conductor, complete with music note motifs, opened the show by directing the water fountains to dance in sync with music. After the cast from each of the day’s shows had performed a reprise of their various musical numbers, Mickey Mouse emerged to conduct a closing performance of Disney Music Festival anthem, Viva La Musique. Disney songs always find a way of getting stuck in your head, but this specially written track is so full of emotion, I think I will find myself singing along to Viva La Musique all summer – and reminding myself of the new memories I’ve made every time I hear it. TW
BOOK IT
Disneyland Paris offers a three-night stay at Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel, including tickets to the parks and all Disney Music Festival performances, from £2,641 in total, for two adults and two children (aged three to 11) sharing a Superior Room with Garden View between July 7 and August 31. Book by June 1 for a bonus gift card worth €150.
disneytravelagents.co.uk
Eurostar operates from St Pancras International to Paris Gare Du Nord, with one-way fares starting from £78. Children aged four to 11 get 30%-50% off the standard fare; under-fours travel free.
eurostar.com
travelweekly.co.uk
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